Serving The Lord without distraction

In 1 Corinthians 7, the apostle Paul was addressing critical issues that the church was facing. There was confusion about how to balance marital relationships, singleness, slavery and vocation as a Christian in a fallen world. Paul admonition to them was simply profound. Remember that you have been bought with a price. The time is short. This present world will soon pass away. Serve The Lord without distraction. He writes this: “And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.”

The Greek word for distraction used in this verse means without solicitude, care or anxiety. Webster’s dictionary gives this meaning for the word distraction: Confusion from a multiplicity of objects crowding on the mind and calling the attention different ways; perturbation of mind; perplexity. Jesus describes distraction this way, “And that which fell among thorns are they which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life.”

In every sphere of the Christian life, be it relational or vocational, there are two main thoughts to ponder if we are to serve The Lord without distraction. One of them is to not lose focus on Who we belong to. That is the significance of being reminded that we are bought with a price. The second thing is to realize that we are living on borrowed time. Jesus’ return is immanent. Either He will gather us in the clouds, or we will go to be with Him when we die. So our purpose here for the remaining days of our earthly lot is to glorify The Lord in whatever marital, vocational or economic state we are in and serve The Lord without distraction.

That is easier said than done, isn’t it? Truth be told, the greatest source of distraction for me IS ME! My flesh tends to be anxious. It tends to be confused or confounded by the number of responsibilities that come into my mind as a husband, father, grandfather and pastor on a hourly basis. I acknowledge the truth of The Lordship of Christ in the depth of my being, but the remaining corruption of my flesh relentlessly assaults and affects my thinking. Beloved, that is exactly what the bible tells us our condition will be until we go to glory. Our lives will be a continuous battle between the flesh and the Spirit. The old man will be fighting us tooth nail for our attention and fulfillment. In other words, expect to deal with distractions today.

A key to confronting distractions is by understanding the mind of God from His Word for every area of your life. Realize that the unholy trinity of the world, the devil and your flesh are set out to distract you from being who you are in Christ. They will continually tell you that God is holding something back from you. It’s like the proverbial poison within the cheese on the mouse trap! Expect the battle, but instead of “doing an Eve” and negotiating with those thoughts, let your response be according to your renewed mind in Christ, proving what is that good, acceptable and perfect will of God.

Serving The Lord without distraction DOES NOT MEAN that distractions will disappear once you are saved. No, they become more intense because you have a new Master. Serving The Lord without distraction means that instead of doing what is right in your own eyes, as was the case in the last verse of Judges 21:25, you do what is right to please Jesus Christ. Do not focus on the distraction, whatever or whoever it is. Focus on The One Who bought you with a great price and is coming soon. Don’t serve the distraction, serve The Lord with gladness.

Blessings to you this day, beloved!

1 Comment

Jeannie Casalenova
on February 22, 2014 at 5:34 pm

Amen 1000x Pastor Ray! The goal to achieve the marital status we don ‘t have, the job or promotion we don’t have, the material possessions we don’t have, even living in the location where we are not are all distractions!! The reality is we are COMPLETE in HIM!! It is CHRIST plus NOTHING!!